Domaine Berthet Bondet > Jura

Domaine Berthet Bondet > Jura > France

Jean Berthet Bondet created his domaine from scratch in 1985 on nine hectares in the village of Château Chalon. This appellation possesses the noblest terroir in the Jura region.

A composition of limestone and red and gray marne confers both power and great finesse to

these wines. The winemaker practices low yields and “lutte raisonée” in the vineyards; that is, minimum use of insecticide and anti-fungal treatments, and a total abstention from defoliants; grass grows freely between the vine rows here. The classic wine of the Jura is the

“vin de voile,” a technique otherwise practiced only by Spanish sherry producers. During barrel ageing, casks are only partially filled, or ouillé, with wine. This provokes the formation

of a film of yeast on the exposed portion, protecting the wine from oxidation and giving it a unique flavor of dried fruits and nuts. Also, the logic of the ageing cellar is the opposite of that for classic wine-making. Like a sherry cave, these cellars are dry and well ventilated, with enormous variations in temperature. Interestingly enough, this region of France remained a Spanish possession until 1660.

Domaine Berthet Bondet Website

Cotes de Jura Charonnay

a pure Chardonnay that speaks clearly of the Jura region. It is cask-aged for 12 months in principally neutral barrels, according to classic methods, and does not undergo the special raising methods of the AOC.

Serve it with poultry or veal associated with mushrooms, and cheese.

Cotes de Jura White – Tradition

This younger sibling of Château Chalon is 70% Chardonnay and 30% Savagnin, and spends two years in the barrel. This is a true “vin de voile.” After an hour of carafing, this cuvée develops a powerful, rich and complex nose of ripe apple, dried fruits and walnut. The palate is rich, almost fatty, but is supported by ample acidity. The long finish is unmistakeably nutty.

Drink this wine with smoked fish, snails with parsley, poultry and veal in cream sauce with morel mushrooms, comté cheese, cheese fondu, gratins with alpine cheeses and curried dishes. Divine with lobster and crabmeat dishes.

Chateau Chalon

***** “ … we adore this cuvee …” Revue du Vin de France, November 2005

The summum, the ultimate, expression of a “vin de voile,” this top cuvée of the domaine has received five stars from La Revue du Vin de France, its highest rating.
This wine is produced from 100% Savagnin grapes and is raised for 6-7 years in neutral casks under a film of yeast without topping up (ouillage) or racking. Two to three hours of carafing are necessary to open this enormously powerful but equally refined wine. The nose reveals white fruits, citrus and spices, followed by a palateful of fruit, citrus, walnuts, hazelnuts, tobacco, dried fruits, dried grasses and curry. The finish is long and nutty, with the afterglow of the palate’s complex mix.

A connoisseur’s wine, it can easily keep for 100 years, although it will reach its full expression 10 years after its bottling.

Pair up this bottle with any of the aforementioned dishes. It’s surprisingly satisfying with comté cheese served on matzoh with a handful of walnuts!

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